Kilner Time Capsule from 1900s Unearthed

05/09/2014

A Kilner jar time capsule has been discovered, buried under the foundations of a former Church School in Huddersfield. The capsule is said to be over 100 years old and still in perfect condition.

Revd Richard Steel said “We can see a newspaper of the day the stone was laid - 14th June 1913 - and at least another couple of pieces of paper all folded up. It’s brilliant that the jar is still sealed, as the contents are in perfect condition.”

The church building has become impossible to maintain in recent years and so major developments have been made in and around the church grounds. As part of these developments, it was decided that the old building had to be demolished.

The capsule was opened on Friday the 5th of September in Kirkheaton, Huddersfield.

The Kilner time capsule contained a few old newspapers from the time it was buried, which included the Yorkshire Post, the Huddersfield Chronicle and the West Yorkshire Advertiser. A Parish magazine was also buried inside which dated back to June 1913.

The jar was opened with the help and advice of Katina Bill, Curator of the local Tolson Museum in Kirkheaton.

“It was great to be able to connect with this part of our past,” said the Revd Richard Steel, Rector of Kirkheaton. “The discovery caused a lot of excitement locally, and the opening has been a really good community event.”

Katina Bill, Curator, Tolson Museum said “It was great to see this, we haven’t seen one in a long while. It is very impressive. The paper is really well preserved, the seal completely intact, no moisture had go in. It even still has that newly printed smell, and no signs of damage.”